MICROBES IN POLYMER CHEMISTRY

A few examples of the impact that conventional and advanced microbial technologies already have and may, eventually, have on polymer chem. are outlined. From microbial biomass in addn. to enzymes (not considered in this review), a variety of polymeric materials of potential com. importance can be obtained, including carbohydrate polymers, aliph. polyesters and polyaminoacids. In addn., a no. of monomeric compds. of interest in polymer chem. for the synthesis of industrially important macromols. (e.g., polyamides and polyesters) can be obtained via fermn. of wild, mutated and/or genetically engineered microbial strains. A better exploitation of natural, renewable resources, e.g., microbial biomass, for the prodn. of a larger no. of bifunctional species amenable to polymn. will also help increase the ecol. friendliness of raw materials industries.